Friday, November 27, 2009
22. November 2009 - Shoreditch
Glimpses of the weekend bustle (and intermittent hailstorms) at Columbia Road Flower Market.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
16. November 2009 - Westminster
I went to a gallery opening, followed by a viewing of the artist Angela Palmer's coup de grâce, an installation in Trafalgar Square.
The installation (and accompanying photographs) was entitled "Ghost Forest" and was comprised of massive trunks and roots of trees from tropical rainforests in Ghana.
The artwork is supposed to draw attention to the plight of climate change and the massive deforestation that takes place all over the world--deforestation that is 'robbing the Earth of its lungs, the rainforests'.
The installation was striking, especially at night, where there was great contrast of the trees against the twinkling lights and grand buildings that surround Trafalgar Square.
The trees stumps are intended to raise questions about the future of the world's vulnerable forests.
Ghana has lost 90 per cent of its rainforest in the past 50 years.
Fully grown, the trees would have reached an average height of 50 metres, as tall as Nelson’s Column.
After its stay in London, the Ghost Forest at Trafalgar Square art show will be moved to a public square in Copenhagen, where it can be seen during the UN Climate Change Conference.
A pop-up store on Regent Street, selling nothing but Marmite. Only in London (or Australia).
Regent Street, by Piccadilly Circus, has been decorated for the holiday season.
The installation (and accompanying photographs) was entitled "Ghost Forest" and was comprised of massive trunks and roots of trees from tropical rainforests in Ghana.
The artwork is supposed to draw attention to the plight of climate change and the massive deforestation that takes place all over the world--deforestation that is 'robbing the Earth of its lungs, the rainforests'.
The installation was striking, especially at night, where there was great contrast of the trees against the twinkling lights and grand buildings that surround Trafalgar Square.
The trees stumps are intended to raise questions about the future of the world's vulnerable forests.
Ghana has lost 90 per cent of its rainforest in the past 50 years.
Fully grown, the trees would have reached an average height of 50 metres, as tall as Nelson’s Column.
After its stay in London, the Ghost Forest at Trafalgar Square art show will be moved to a public square in Copenhagen, where it can be seen during the UN Climate Change Conference.
A pop-up store on Regent Street, selling nothing but Marmite. Only in London (or Australia).
Regent Street, by Piccadilly Circus, has been decorated for the holiday season.
7. November 2009 - Westminster
It was a gorgeous autumn day in London, with sun, bright skies, and colourful leaves.
I decided to go to Buckingham Palace, and I couldn't have picked a better time to do so. Walking around in Green Park was wonderful--the park is wild, with huge trees aligned in promenading rows and aisles. Oddly, however, the effect is not wierd or unnatural.
This is a view of one of the gates leading to Buckingham Palace, Wellington gate.
While I liked many elements of the Palace itself (such as the ornate gates and the monument of Queen Victoria, who was the first queen to live at Buckingham Palace), the overall effect was less than impressive, perhaps because the location is right in the middle of Westminster, cornered between two parks. It's too...crowded.
I decided to go to Buckingham Palace, and I couldn't have picked a better time to do so. Walking around in Green Park was wonderful--the park is wild, with huge trees aligned in promenading rows and aisles. Oddly, however, the effect is not wierd or unnatural.
This is a view of one of the gates leading to Buckingham Palace, Wellington gate.
While I liked many elements of the Palace itself (such as the ornate gates and the monument of Queen Victoria, who was the first queen to live at Buckingham Palace), the overall effect was less than impressive, perhaps because the location is right in the middle of Westminster, cornered between two parks. It's too...crowded.
6. November 2009 - Wood Green
I decided to try my luck at finding yet another ice rink.
This took me to Alexandra Palace in Wood Green, far outside downtown London and situated on a hill slash mountain. From the top, you can see all the way down to the Thames-- and you can pick out iconic buildings such as the Gherkin.
A close-up shot of the balcony at Alexandra Palace, taken before my camera decided once again to malfunction.
This took me to Alexandra Palace in Wood Green, far outside downtown London and situated on a hill slash mountain. From the top, you can see all the way down to the Thames-- and you can pick out iconic buildings such as the Gherkin.
A close-up shot of the balcony at Alexandra Palace, taken before my camera decided once again to malfunction.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
2. November 2009 - London
The Wallace Collection, featuring hundreds of collected items and pieces of artwork from the first four Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, is an absolutely wonderful museum-my favorite so far in London.
Situated by Bond Street, it's tucked out of the way of the many shoppers to feel special and secluded.
I wasn't able to take these photos--photography was not allowed, so these are taken from others' surreptitious shots.
A salon.
Apparently this family of aristocrats were friends with Marie Antoinette, Napoleon, and Louis XV, to name a few. This was known as the Marie Antoinette Salon, because most of the furniture was once hers.
The Wallace Collection boasts a huge collection of armor and arms, from Europe, Asia, and India.
There are so many paintings and beautiful pieces of furniture and works of art. Things I have never seen anywhere included rock crystal goblets and vases (from Freiburg), three-dimensional wax portraits in frames, a wonderful portrait of Queen Victoria, and so much more.
Mixed into the historical collection are 25 paintings by Damien Hirst, of dead animal and skull fame. Apparently the richest living artist, Mr. Hirst entitled this collection No Love Lost: The Blue Paintings.
They were absolutely wonderful--so melancholy and gorgeous.
The colours were all blue and black and hues of white. They were quite striking.
Set against a backdrop of blue patterned silk, the exhibition was fabulous.
One of the most wonderful pieces was this skull in the midst of darkness. It looked like it was glowing-- I had to look behind the frame to make sure it was being illuminated by a backlight.
This was my other favorite painting. I love the roses.
A little park outside the Hertford House.
Red and pink berries and flowers--in November.
Situated by Bond Street, it's tucked out of the way of the many shoppers to feel special and secluded.
I wasn't able to take these photos--photography was not allowed, so these are taken from others' surreptitious shots.
A salon.
Apparently this family of aristocrats were friends with Marie Antoinette, Napoleon, and Louis XV, to name a few. This was known as the Marie Antoinette Salon, because most of the furniture was once hers.
The Wallace Collection boasts a huge collection of armor and arms, from Europe, Asia, and India.
There are so many paintings and beautiful pieces of furniture and works of art. Things I have never seen anywhere included rock crystal goblets and vases (from Freiburg), three-dimensional wax portraits in frames, a wonderful portrait of Queen Victoria, and so much more.
Mixed into the historical collection are 25 paintings by Damien Hirst, of dead animal and skull fame. Apparently the richest living artist, Mr. Hirst entitled this collection No Love Lost: The Blue Paintings.
They were absolutely wonderful--so melancholy and gorgeous.
The colours were all blue and black and hues of white. They were quite striking.
Set against a backdrop of blue patterned silk, the exhibition was fabulous.
One of the most wonderful pieces was this skull in the midst of darkness. It looked like it was glowing-- I had to look behind the frame to make sure it was being illuminated by a backlight.
This was my other favorite painting. I love the roses.
A little park outside the Hertford House.
Red and pink berries and flowers--in November.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)